Douglas Anderson graduates celebrate school's 50th year.

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts' mascot is the unassuming puffin, but on Friday the Jacksonville school's atrium was filled with the spirit of its old mascot, the fiery dragon.

About 125 former students and educators who were at Douglas Anderson when it was the only black school on the Southside honored the school's history Friday and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the school's first graduating class in 1959.

"That's what this is all about, celebrating that class," said Samuel Davis, president of Douglas Anderson's alumni association. "It's real important for this community that we do this."

Leonard Baker, president of Anderson's class of '59, said the event was about celebrating family.

"We've always been family," he said. "We didn't recognize it when we were going through it that we were making history."

The former students were treated to a 40-minute performance from Anderson's current students and were led on a tour of the school.

Anderson's atrium turned into a family reunion with old friends embracing and sharing memories of their youth and how they paved the way for Anderson's current students.

That fact was not lost on Arnisha White, 17, the senior class president. She said being able to give the former students a tour of the school was inspiring.

"It's just an honor to be surrounded by people who have the same struggles and have been through situations that I don't have to face now," White said. "They faced it and came out on top."

Unita Barnes Fowler, class of '59, said it was great to bring all of the different years of Anderson students together.

"It brings back unity and it brings back that old DA spirit," she said. "This is a very exciting time."

The school's alumni association will unveil a historical marker in front of the school detailing its history on Dec. 19.

Principal Jackie Cornelius announced that the school also is developing a documentary on its history that will feature interviews of the graduates before Douglas Anderson became an arts school.

Davis said it was good to come home.

"Thanks again," he said to Cornelius, "for leaving the lights on for us one more time."